Mitchel McLaughlin

Mitchel McLaughlin (29 October 1945-) was Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly from 12 January 2015 to 12 May 2016, succeeding William Hay and preceding Robin Newton.

Biography
Mitchel McLaughlin was born in Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland on 29 October 1945, and he was born in the Bogside area of Derry. McLaughlin became involved with the socialist Sinn Fein party, and he was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 1998 as the representative from Foyle. From 1996 to 2005, he was Chairperson of Sinn Fein (succeeding Tom Hartley and preceding Mary Lou McDonald), and then General Secretary from 2003 to 2005 (succeeding Lucilita Bhreatnach and preceding Rita O'Hare). He was friends with Martin McGuinness, having managed his election campaign in Belfast in 1981 and recommended him as the Sinn Fein candidate. From 2015 to 2016, he served as Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.